Adjustable additive cartridge systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An additive delivery system may incorporate a cartridge system, including a container cap and a reservoir assembly that provides for storage of an additive. The container cap includes a mixing nozzle for mixing of the additive with a base fluid as the base fluid flows from the base fluid container through the cartridge. A one-way valve prevents backflow of base fluid and/or mixed base fluid/additive from an area downstream of the mixing nozzle such that the base fluid supply remains in a pure state.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/451,384, titled ADJUSTABLE ADDITIVE CARTRIDGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,filed on Mar. 6, 2017, which claims priority under all applicable laws,treaties, conventions and regulations, to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/303,376, titled CARTRIDGE RESERVOIR SYSTEMS, filed on Mar. 4,2016 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/363,177, titled ADJUSTABLEADDITIVE CARTRIDGE SYSTEMS, filed on Jul. 15, 2016; and which is acontinuation-in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/358,087, titledADJUSTABLE ADDITIVE CARTRIDGE SYSTEMS, filed Nov. 21, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/948,225, filed on Nov. 20,2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,086, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/083,129, filed on Nov. 21, 2014. Thesubject matter described in all applications is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Where an element or subject matter of thisapplication or a part of the description, claims or drawings in theaforementioned applications are not otherwise contained in thisapplication, that element, subject matter or part is incorporated byreference in this application for the purposes of any and all applicablerules, procedures or laws.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to dispensing and delivery systems for beveragesand other products. The disclosure further relates to dispensing anddelivery systems in which an additive, such as flavorings, concentratesor supplements, may be provided in replaceable cartridges and mixed witha base fluid, such as water, as the base fluid is dispensed and/orconsumed from a container and wherein one-way flow of base fluid isprovided to prevent additive from mixing with the base fluid supply,which may thus be used with different additive delivery systems. Thedisclosure further relates to dispensing and delivery systems andadditive delivery systems that provide for user adjustment of the amountof additive that is mixed with the base fluid. The disclosure furtherrelates to reservoir assemblies for storage of additives and for use insuch additive delivery systems, and to methods for making and using suchsystems.

2. Prior Art

The prior art includes various devices for providing additives to a baseliquid. Such devices include pre-mix systems, such as those described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,306,117, in which a predetermined amount of additive isdispensed into a base liquid within the container and mixed therewithprior to consumption. Prior art systems also include devices in which anadditive is provided to a base fluid as it is dispensed from acontainer. Such delivery systems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.8,230,777, which describes a dispensing system in which a base liquidflows through a supplement area containing solid supplements, and U.S.Pat. No. 8,413,844, which describes a water dispenser (pitcher) having afilter and an additive chamber in which the additive is dispensed aswater is poured from the dispenser. There is a need in the art forsystems and methods that improve upon these prior art undertakings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the disclosure, an additive delivery systemmay incorporate a cartridge system, including a container cap and anadditive reservoir assembly that provides for storage of an additive.The container cap may be secured to a base fluid container. A mixingnozzle is cooperatively associated with the container cap for mixing ofthe additive with a base fluid as the base fluid flows from the basefluid container through the cartridge. A one-way valve prevents backflowof base fluid and/or mixed base fluid/additive from an area downstreamof the mixing nozzle such that the base fluid supply remains in a purestate. These features permit different cartridge assemblies, containingdifferent respective additives, to be used with a given supply of basefluid. Moreover, this feature permits a given additive to be used with agiven supply of base fluid without requiring the entire supply of basefluid to be used or consumed in a mixed state. A leftover supply of basefluid may remain unmixed and used in other applications, such as withother flavorings or supplements. The additive delivery systems enablemore efficient use of both additive and base fluid.

According to another aspect of the invention, an additive deliverysystem may incorporate a cartridge system and provide for adjustableflow of additive and adjustable mixing of additive with a base fluid asthe base fluid flows through the additive delivery system. An adjustmentactuator may be moved by a user to cause a corresponding adjustment invalve components incorporated into the additive delivery system. Thevalve components may include a metering component, which may have aconical portion that cooperates with a mixing nozzle having acorrespondingly shaped seat to provide precise control of additive flow.Movement of the adjustment actuator by a user results in movement of themetering component in precise fashion to increase or decrease the flowof additive that occurs when base fluid is dispensed through thecartridge. Indicia may be included to indicate relative degrees ofadditive flow and mixing to the user. This feature permits a user toachieve a desired and repeatable mixing proportion of additive to basefluid.

According to another aspect, an additive delivery system may utilize acartridge system that provides improved flow geometries that enhancemixing of additive and base fluid as the additive and base fluid flowfrom the cartridge. Such flow geometries may include a central flowcomponent for the additive and a surrounding or radially displaced flowcomponent for the base fluid. They may also include one or moreconvergence zone in the additive flow path. Such flow geometries mayalso be used in conjunction with one or more agitating or turbulencecreating elements incorporated into a dispensing spout downstream of amixing area in the cartridge assembly to further enhance the mixing ofthe additive and base fluid prior to use or consumption. Such flowgeometries and agitating or turbulence creating elements provide forthorough mixing of additive and base fluid.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a reservoir assembly for usewith an additive delivery system and cartridge may include a flexiblereservoir such as a pouch, bag, bladder or other flexible reservoirstructure. This reservoir assembly structure provides improved flow andmixing characteristics by reducing or eliminating vacuum in thereservoir as additive is dispensed. A protective cage or solid walledprotective housing may enclose the reservoir to protect it duringsale/shipping. In the case of a protective cage or other externalelement with apertures or holes, such flexible reservoir structures mayalso permit external pressure to be applied to the additive reservoir,such as pressure created when a user squeezes or otherwise appliespressure to a container, i.e., water bottle, in which the cartridge ishoused. This interaction between the flexible cartridge reservoirstructure and the interior conditions may facilitate more uniform orconsistent dispensing of additive from the cartridge and more uniformmixing with a base fluid.

According to another aspect, a cartridge assembly is packaged anddistributed as a unit that includes a reservoir assembly and adjustablemixing cap, such that the cartridge assembly may be installed on auser's own bottle of base fluid, such as a water bottle purchasedseparately. A frangible protective outer safety membrane, such as ashrink wrap, or foil pouch, may seal the entire cartridge assemblypackage for quality and safety control.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the described invention pertains. Although otherimplementations, methods and materials similar to those described hereincan be used to practice the invention, suitable and exampleimplementations, methods and materials are described below. Allpublications, patent applications, and other references mentioned hereinare incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict,the present specification, including definitions, will control. Inaddition, the materials, methods and examples are illustrative only andare not intended to be limiting in any way. The details of one or moreexample implementations of the invention are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other attendant advantages and features of the inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description together withthe accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals representlike elements throughout. It will be understood that the description andembodiments are intended as illustrative examples and are not intendedto be limiting to the scope of invention, which is set forth in theclaims appended hereto.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example dispensing anddelivery system including an additive delivery system, both according toan aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of an example cartridgeassembly for an additive delivery system according to an aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded lower perspective view of the example cartridgeassembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cutaway view of the example cartridge assembly ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of an example additive adjustment actuatoraccording to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the example additive flow adjustment actuator ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken in plane A-A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken in plane B-B in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 a bottom view of the example additive flow adjustment actuator ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example additive flow meteringinsert according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the example additive flow metering insert ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken in plane A-A in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the example additive flow metering insert ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example mixing nozzle according toan aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the mixing nozzle of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken in plane A-A of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an example cartridge cap base accordingto an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the example cartridge cap base of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view in plane A-A of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the example cartridge cap base of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an example flexible pouch reservoir andpouch reservoir spout according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the flexible pouch reservoir and pouchreservoir spout of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the flexible pouch reservoir and pouchreservoir spout of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of an example assembled additive deliverysystem cartridge assembly according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 25 is an example dilution/concentration variance curve that may beachieved with example cartridge systems according to an aspect of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example beverage dispensingsystem utilizing an example additive delivery system according to anaspect of the disclosure. A bottle 10 may include a bottle lid 20 forsealing an interior space of the bottle 10. Threads, which areintegrally molded on the bottle 10 cooperate with internal threadsmolded on bottle lid 20 to provide sealed fastening between the twocomponents. A handle 24 may be molded into the lid 20 and an umbrellacheck valve or vent (not shown in FIG. 1) may be provided in the lid 20in a known manner to reduce or eliminate vacuum in the bottle interiorand prevent base fluid from leaking out of the vent when a base fluid isdispensed therefrom. Lid 20 includes a cartridge receiving mouth 22having a threaded fastener formed on an exterior surface thereof forreceiving an additive delivery system, such as the example additivedelivery system, also referred to herein as a cartridge, generallyreferenced 100 in FIG. 1.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2-4, which are exploded views of anexample cartridge assembly providing an additive delivery systemaccording to an aspect of the disclosure, the system may include anumber of components that are assembled in a generally stackedarrangement using snap-fit or threaded connections that facilitate quickassembly, as will be described in more detail below. The components mayinclude a cartridge cap comprising an additive flow adjustment actuator200 cooperating with and mounted for limited rotational movementrelative to a cartridge cap base 250. Additive flow adjustment actuatormay include a dispensing spout and a push-pull closure 230 mountedthereon for selectively permitting and preventing egress of mixed fluidfrom the cartridge. Disposed between the additive flow adjustmentactuator 200 and cartridge cap base 250 are an additive flow meteringcomponent 300, which cooperates with a mixing nozzle 350. An annularone-way base fluid flow sealing element 320 provides for one-way flow ofbase fluid through the cartridge, preventing backflow, as will bedescribed. A reservoir assembly including a pouch reservoir spout 400,reservoir (see FIGS. 21 and 23) and protective outer housing 500, may besecured to the mixing nozzle 350, and thus the cap base 250 as will beexplained. The pouch may be a flexible pouch containing an additivesupply and fastened in sealing engagement to pouch reservoir spout 400.The reservoir assembly may be secured using snap fittings or otherfastening elements, such as threaded fasteners or friction fastening,within the cartridge cap base 250 and also fit to mixing nozzle 350 in amanner that will be explained. The reservoir protective housing 500,which may be a cage or a solid-walled (illustrated) cover, may besnap-fit to a flange of the pouch reservoir spout 400 to protect theinterior flexible reservoir pouch containing additive. The reservoirhousing 500 and reservoir pouch may be made of a transparent ortranslucent material to permit a user to view and identify the nature ofthe additive supply. Details regarding each of the above-describedexample components as well as their cooperating relationships will nowbe described.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, these figures illustrate an example additiveflow adjustment actuator 200. This component may include a main bodyportion 202 with an actuation tab 204 to enable a user to rotate theactuator 200. A spout portion 206 extends upward from the main bodyportion 202 and provides for flow of mixed fluid from the cartridge. Thespout portion 206 and may include an integral retaining ring 208 formedin a top portion thereof for retaining a push-pull cap (FIGS. 2-4)thereon. A circular projection 210 is disposed on the top of the spout206 and supported by three spoke elements 212. Projection 210 functionsto provide a seal with the push-pull cap 230 (FIGS. 2-4) and to provideagitation or turbulence as mixed fluid exits the cartridge. A number ofaxially extending guide rails 216 are defined on an interior of thespout portion 206 and define guide channels therebetween, whichcooperate with and guide complementarily-shaped elements on additiveflow metering component 300 (FIGS. 2-4), as will be explained. A windowor aperture 218 is defined in the main body portion to enable a user toview an adjustment setting indicating the relative position of theactuator 200 and associated level of additive flow. Indicia 220 may beprovided as molded elements on the actuator 200 to indicate directionsfor increasing additive (FLAVOR) or base fluid (WATER). A pair ofrecesses 222 may be provided in the main body portion 202 forfacilitating molding of the actuator 200. Retaining tabs 224 and anouter annular wall 226 and inner annular wall 228 provide for mating androtational engagement and support of the actuator 202 with the cartridgecap base 250, as will be explained.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 10-13, these figures illustrate detailsof an example additive flow metering component 300 according to anaspect of the disclosure. The metering component may be provided as agenerally cylindrical element having a cylindrical body portion 302 anda conical metering projection or element 318 (FIG. 12). An annularadditive flow passage 312 is defined on the additive flow meteringcomponent 300. A number of projections 306 and 310 are defined on anouter surface of the main body portion 302 and define guide channels308. These elements cooperate with the rails and channels defined in theactuator 200, as described above with reference to FIGS. 5-9) to permitthe component 300 to move axially (upward/downward) in a guidedcooperative relationship with the actuator 200 but to also cause thecomponent 300 to rotate with the actuator 200. The generally annularadditive flow passage 312 is defined between the main body portion 302and conical metering element 318 to permit flow of additive through thecomponent. Metering element 318 defines a metering surface 314 (FIG.12), which cooperates with a surface on mixing nozzle 350 (FIGS. 2-4) toprovide precise flow control of additive flowing through the cartridge.Meterig component 300 includes internal threads 316 which cooperate withthreads on mixing nozzle 350 to provide axial movement of the meteringsurface 314 relative to the counterpart surface on mixing nozzle 350when the component 300 is rotated relative to the mixing nozzle 350. Ashoulder 319 (FIG. 12) is defined in an upper area of conical element318 to provide a food safety seal when the conical element is in aclosed and sealed position within the mixing nozzle 350. The shouldermay deform to facilitate a tight seal. A positive locking projection 321(FIG. 13) extends radially inward on a lower portion of the component300. This projection cooperates with a detent channel (368 in FIG. 14)to provide for positive locking of the component 300 within the mixingnozzle 350 during an assembly and packaging operation and to positivelyindicate that the component 300 has been installed in (rotated to) aconsistent and predetermined position on the mixing nozzle, with thecomponent 300, by virtue of shoulder 319 and the conical surface 314then providing a standard food-safety grade seal with the mixing nozzle350.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate details of an example mixing nozzle 350 accordingto an aspect of the disclosure. Mixing nozzle 350 may include agenerally cylindrical main body portion 352, having a flattened area 353to facilitate proper orientation and alignment within a complementarilyshaped recess in cap base 250 during assembly. Extending upward frommain body portion 352 is a generally circular, raised snap-fitprojection 354, including a rounded edge for permitting a sealing andsnap fit engagement with a mating portion of the cartridge cap base 250(FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 24). A plurality, in this case four, base fluidports 358 are defined in the mixing nozzle 350 to permit flow of basefluid and at least partially define a base fluid flow path through themixing nozzle 350 and cartridge 100. A mixing nozzle stem 360 extendsupward from the snap-fit projection 354 and includes integral threads362 on an exterior surface thereof. Mixing nozzle stem 360 defines atleast a portion of an additive flow path by way of an internal mixingnozzle additive flow passage 363. A seal retaining ring 364 is formed ona lower portion of mixing nozzle spout 360 for securing an internal endof annular one-way base fluid flow seal 320 (FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 24) inplace. As best seen in FIG. 16, additive flow passage 363 is defined inpart by an upper conical interior surface 365 which is shapedcomplementarily to the conical projection on additive flow meteringcomponent 300 to define an adjustable metering zone through which theadditive flows. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the flowgeometry of the example mixing nozzle 350 may include a lower conicalsurface 367 defining a first converging additive flow zone, a middlecylindrical or slightly expanding interior surface 369 defining a secondflow zone extending to the upper conical surface 365 which defines inpart a metering zone. Applicants have found that characteristics of thisflow geometry provides advantageous flow and mixing of additive withbase fluid. As described above, a detent channel 368 is defined byprojections 366 and 368 (FIG. 14) on a lower portion of the stem 360 toprovide for a positive locking interaction with metering component 300when it is threaded onto the metering nozzle in an initial assemblyoperation to provide a food safety grade seal. A number of reservoirspout retaining arms 374 having snap-fit projections 372 formed on anend thereof may be formed on a lower portion of the mixing nozzle tosecure an upper end of the reservoir spout within the cartridge assembly(see FIG. 24). A lower annular wall 378 provides a channel 380 forreceiving an end of the reservoir spout for additional sealingengagement. As will be recognized, the example mixing nozzle 350 definesa base fluid flow path, represented by arrows “B” in FIGS. 16 and 26,and an additive flow path represented by arrows “A” in FIGS. 16 and 26,it being recognized that the sectional view in FIG. 16 shows the ports358 in dotted (hidden) lines. More particularly, the additive flow pathis defined by a centrally or axially located passage, while the basefluid flow path includes passages that are disposed outward from thecentral location at least partially surrounding the additive fluid flowpath. This flow geometry provides advantageous mixing and flowcharacteristics.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate details of an example cartridge cap base 250according to aspects of the disclosure. Base cap 250 includes agenerally cylindrical internally threaded base portion 254 and agenerally annular raised indicator portion 252 having a contoured uppersurface with indicia 258 for indicating an additive mixing level to auser. The position of the indicia 258 is such that a selected indiciaappears within the window in additive flow adjustment actuator.Indicator portion 252 fits within a channel formed in the underside ofadditive flow adjustment actuator 200 (see FIG. 24). Cap base includesan annular seat 272 for an outer edge of base flow one-way valve is 320and an annular snap-fit ridge 274 for retaining the mixing nozzle 300(see FIG. 24). Cap base includes an annular recess with a flat area(FIG. 20) for ensuring that the mixing nozzle is installed with correctorientation relative to the cap base. A number of ribs extend radiallyinward for supporting an annular wall.

FIGS. 21-23 illustrate details of a flexible pouch reservoir and pouchreservoir spout according to an aspect of the disclosure. Spout 400 mayinclude a stem portion 402 defining an interior additive flow passage. Afirst flange 404 may be provided with slots for receiving the reservoirretaining arms 374 of the mixing nozzle 300. A snap fit ridge or ring(FIG. 24) is formed on a lower portion of the stem 402 and cooperateswith an internal ridge on a lower portion of the mixing nozzle. A secondand third flange 406 and 408 extend from the stem 402 for use byautomated filling equipment. The series of flanges on the spout may alsobe utilized in a cartridge assembly operation where the housing 500 issnap-fit on a first of the flanges during a first assembly operation,and then moved upward to snap fit onto a next higher flange in a secondassembly operation. The flanges may also provide additional sealinginterfaces with corresponding ridges defined on the housing interior.which the reservoir is filled with automated equipment. A bottom flange410 provides a snap fit within housing or cage 50. The pouch reservoiris shown in a flat, unfilled state in FIGS. 21-23. As will berecognized, when filled with additive, pouch may assume a cylindricalshape and fit within housing 500. The pouch may be fastened by heatwelding or other fastening techniques to a fastening adapter portion 412of the reservoir spout 400 to seal the pouch walls to the pouchreservoir spout 400.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cutaway of an assembled additive delivery systemaccording to an aspect of the disclosure. In this figure, the additivemetering valve is shown in a closed position. Generally, assembly mayinvolve first inserting and snap-fitting the metering valve 350 in placeon the cartridge cap base 250. In a next step, the one-way sealing valve320 is placed onto the mixing nozzle 350 and fit over the retainingridge and seated on outer annulus of the cap base. Next, the additiveflow metering insert 300 is threaded onto the counterpart threads onmixing nozzle 350 and positioned in proper rotational orientation.Additive adjustment actuator 200 is then inserted onto the cartridge capbase in proper alignment with the additive flow metering insert.Additive adjustment actuator 200 is retained on cap base with retainingtabs 224 (FIGS. 7-9) and may rotate with respect to the cap base toenable selection of an additive level and associated position ofmetering component 300. Push-pull cap 230 may then be placed on thecartridge assembly. Pouch reservoir spout and pouch reservoir are thensnap fit into the mixing nozzle lower portion.

In operation, the additive flow adjustment actuator may be rotatedrelative to the cap base 250. Such rotation also causes rotation of themetering insert 300 relative to the mixing nozzle 350, resulting inslight axial, i.e., upward or downward movement of the insert 300 by wayof cooperating threads between the insert 300 and nozzle 350. Axialmovement of the metering insert 300 results in a change of additive flowthrough the metering area between the conical portion of insert 300 andthe corresponding surface on mixing nozzle 350. As base fluid flows intothe cartridge assembly, resulting from pressure changes within the basefluid container, i.e., from squeezing of a flexible bottle and or bysuction applied by a user during consumption, and/or inverting ortipping, such action results in flow of additive and base fluid is mixedwith additive at the appropriate level determined by the rotationalposition of the additive flow adjustment actuator. The additive flowpath is illustrated by arrows “A”, it being recognized that because themetering element 300 is in a fully closed position in this figure, thearrows “A” are adjacent where flow would occur in the metering sectionin this figure. The base fluid flow path is generally illustrated byarrows “B”, it being recognized that flow will occur at the interface ofthe sealing element 320 and annular seat 272 of cap base 250, ratherthan the exact location of arrows “B” near that area.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example change in concentration variance withamount of fluid dispensed achieved with flexible reservoirs such asthose described herein. Curve 1 represents a somewhat inconsistentadditive concentration as fluid is depleted. Such inconsistentconcentration is characteristic of rigid reservoirs. Curve 2 representsa relatively consistent change in concentration as fluid is dispensed asis attainable with flexible pouch reservoirs according to aspects of thedisclosure. The disclosure also contemplates rigid or semi-rigidreservoir structures which provide for prevention of vacuum as additiveis dispensed therefrom.

The components described above may be made using injection molding orother known techniques using thermoplastics, such as food gradepolypropylene or like materials. The disclosure also contemplates othermaterials, such as stainless steel or other food grade or non-food gradematerials.

It should be understood that implementation of other variations andmodifications of the invention in its various aspects may be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and that the inventionis not limited by the specific embodiments described herein. It istherefore contemplated to cover, by the present invention any and allmodifications, variations or equivalents. For example, while themetering function of the additive delivery system has been describedusing a conical metering component or element, other structures may beused, such as flow control elements that utilize gate or ball valve orother components that provide adjustment of the metering area and flowpassage based on user movement of an actuator. In addition, while snapfittings have been described for components, it will be recognized thatother fastening structure or techniques may be used, such as threaded orscrew fittings, friction fittings, or adhesive or welding techniques.

1. A method of mixing a base fluid with an additive comprising: securingan additive delivery system to a base fluid container containing astored supply of base fluid, the additive delivery system including asupply of additive; dispensing the base fluid from the container; mixingthe additive with the base fluid as a portion of the base fluid flowsfrom the container; wherein the step of mixing the additive with thebase fluid occurs without mixing additive with the stored supply of basefluid in the container.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingmixing the additive from a flexible reservoir in communication with anadditive flow path.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingpreventing backflow of base fluid by a one-way seal disposed in a basefluid flow path.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof removing the additive delivery system from the container andreplacing it with a second additive delivery system with anotheradditive.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step ofprotecting the flexible reservoir with an outer housing.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting the flow ofadditive mixed with the base fluid.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of adjusting the flow of additive mixed with thebase fluid by adjusting a conical metering element.